The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-07-22
THE BOND PROPOSITIONS.

W
ositions will be submitted to the voters
of Mankato involving the issuance, in
the aggregate, of $45, 900 in bonds.
Twenty thousand dollars of these bonds
are to be applied to the extension of
water mains and the procurement of
pumping works, ten thousand dollars
will be used in the construction of
sewers, and fifteen thousand dollars
will go for the purchase of Slbley
Mound and improving Germania Park,
which has recently been donated to the |
city by Messrs. Piper and Warner, pro-
vided the city will expend $1,000 in
identifying the property.
There is not an intelligent resident of
the city who will deny the great need |
for every one of these propositions to be |
carried to a successful issue. In the first |
place, as the letter addressed to the
voters by the council fairly and truthful
ly states, the extension of the water
mains means paying investment as
well as a self-sustaining improvement.
The income at this time from water rent
is about 81 900 per annum. Make the
extension called for and this revenue
will be fully doubled the first year.
The most populous residence portion of
our city Is without water convenienees
for domestic purposes, and entirely I'M
protected from the rayages of fire. We
make statement that investigation will
bear us out in, when we claim that fully
81 per cent. of the families residing
along the line of the proposed extension
would grab eagerly at the chance to use
water if it was attainable, and pay into
the city treasury good reasonable
rental for the privilege. On this water
proposition there should be no possible
doubt of success. The people are emit
tied to water when they are willing to
pay for it, and those already supplied
should esteem it a pleasure to assist
their neighbors in getting what they
have for years enjoyed.
The matter of sewerage has been long
discussed. The city has now arrived at
a point of population and Importance
that demands something besides talk.
The city council has wisely determined
to test the public pulse on the question,
and ask that $4,000 be placed at their
disposal for the purpose of inaugurating
and carrying forward a complete system
recommended by competent engineers.
: To make this plain to the average voter,
the council make clear and compre-
hensive statement. A brick sewer on
t Washington street, from the river to
Front. will be constructed at the ex-
pense of the city, as so also will the ex
pense incurred in laying pipe on cross
streets and along public property have
to be borne by the city at large. Other
than this the property benefited will
, bear the expense by special assessment.
But as the money derived from such as
sessment is not due and payable until
,, next May, funds are required for imme-
date use, and it is for this reason that
the voting of the bonds is asked. Over
eighty per cent. of the amount expend-
ed this season will be covered into the
{ city treasury next spring. The money
thus received can be used for extend
ing the system to other streets and the
following year it will revert back to the
t city in like manner as the first. By
G this means it will take but four or five
! years to get complete sewerage system
, throughout the city, and the sum asked
3 for at this time will bear every dollar OF
J. expense the city will be under for its
: share of the entire work. The future
health of our people demands that inn
g mediate steps be taken in this matter
3 lflonger delayed an epidemic will sure.
, ly come upon us and the horrors of such
visitation cannot be Appropriated.
Y Let us, then, while free from disease
!. and sickness, take precautionary meas.
! ures to protect as best we may the prec.
t ious lives about us.
: The necessities of a park have been
freely discussed in the columns of this
e paper, and it is believed that the public
Y generally appreciate the great pleasure
y to be derived from such magnificent
f summer grounds as Sibley Mound and
q Germania Park can be made. BY vot.
y ing $l5, 900 for park purposes our city
!, will be supplied with pleasure resorts
! that cannot be supplied again at any
. price When strangers visit Mankato
and find that We have no park, an ex.
e preston of surprise invariably follows.
v And no wonder it is So. Every city OF
! any pretension whatever takes pride in
Y its parks. Many times princely fortunes
I are expended by municipalities in pro.
viding such grounds and in identifying
: them. Why, then, should Mankato, the
!; metropolis of the richest and most pros
. porous as well as most populous section
8 of Minnesota neglect longer to establish
: parks when such splendid opportunities
are offered.
g Let our people arouse themselves on
f the bond propositions and turn out next
: Tuesday fully determined to carry them
: to a successful issue. 1t is high time ia
: throw off the village style of doing bus.
: mess and don the role of metropolitan
/ pride and business methods.